My ASD Child

The 6 Stages of Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder  When Maya first heard the word autism , her world seemed to shift on its axis. She sat in her car outside the clinic, hands gripping the steering wheel, unable to drive home. She kept replaying the doctor’s words: “Your son meets the criteria for autism spectrum disorder, Level One.” At first, everything felt overwhelming—almost unreal. But as the months passed, Maya realized she wasn’t moving in circles. She was walking a path, one that other parents had walked before her. That path unfolds in stages. Recognizing them doesn’t erase the challenges, but it offers a kind of map. And for many parents, having a map makes the difference between feeling lost and finding steady ground. Stage 1: Recognition At first, parents notice little things others dismiss. Maybe their child avoids eye contact, takes everything literally, or has intense interests that take over every conversation. Teachers may shrug and say, “He’ll g...

Introduction: The Screen as Sanctuary For many autistic teenagers, technology isn’t just entertainment—it’s oxygen. It’s how they decompress, communicate, explore interests, and feel competent in a world that often overwhelms them. Parents, however, frequently experience this relationship with technology as a battleground. You may watch your teen spend hours on their phone, scrolling, gaming, or coding, and wonder, Is this healthy? Should I limit it? Am I losing my child to a screen? Before answering those questions, it’s important to understand the unique role technology plays for autistic teens. Screens can serve as both refuge and risk, offering safety and stimulation while sometimes deepening isolation or anxiety. The goal isn’t to eliminate technology—it’s to help your teen use it in ways that soothe, connect, and empower rather than consume. This chapter explores the emotional, neurological, and relational functions of technology for autistic teens. We’ll examine how to transf...

  Introduction: The Invisible Ripple Effect When one child in a family is autistic, the entire household feels the ripple. Life becomes a constant balancing act—between attention and fairness, structure and flexibility, peace and chaos. Parents find themselves stretched thin, trying to meet everyone’s needs while holding the family together. The autistic teen might need extra time, therapy appointments, emotional support, or crisis management. Meanwhile, siblings—who love their brother or sister but sometimes feel overlooked—can experience jealousy, guilt, or resentment. Parents may feel torn, guilty, and exhausted, trying to maintain balance in a home that often feels emotionally uneven. This chapter explores the delicate ecosystem of family life with an autistic teenager—how to nurture the sibling bond, protect each child’s sense of security, and preserve your own peace along the way. The Hidden Emotions Beneath the Surface When parents think about sibling relationships i...

The Car Ride Home: A Familiar Story You pick your teenager up from school and can tell instantly that something’s off. Their backpack is half-zipped, their jaw is tight, and you get the one-word answers: “How was your day?” “Fine.” You ask about homework. They snap, “I don’t know!” A few hours later, they’re in meltdown—yelling about a group project, refusing to do homework, or shutting down in their room under a blanket. From the outside, it can look like laziness, defiance, or overreaction. On the inside, though, your autistic teen may be carrying a full day’s worth of invisible stress : sensory overload, social confusion, fear of failure, and constant pressure to keep up. This chapter is about that load—and how you, as a parent, can help lighten it without sacrificing your teen’s growth. Why School Is Extra Hard for Autistic Teens 1. The Social Minefield Hallways, group projects, partner work, “turn and talk”—school is built on fast, intuitive social interaction. Autistic...